Hotline // January 10, 2024

Grateful for another successful year; looking forward to an exciting 2024

The time between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is typically a time for gathering with family and friends, reflecting on the events of the past year, and looking with anticipation to the future. However, the transition from 2023 to 2024 this year was punctuated with an unanticipated ice storm resulting in dangerous travel conditions and many folks dealing with extended power outages and upended travel plans. These outages were especially challenging for our farmers and ranchers who have livestock that need constant attention. We owe a sincere debt of gratitude to the city, county, state workers, and electrical crews who worked around the clock to keep our streets and roadways safe, clean up downed trees and other structural damage, and restore power to those in need. Thank you to all!

I’d like to reflect on just a few of the positive accomplishments of the past year. For the first time ever, VCSU eclipsed the 1,750 threshold in fall semester student enrollment. We celebrate this outstanding achievement with thanks for and recognition of the focused efforts of our entire faculty, staff, and community. Through continued effort, VCSU continues to be a great place for students to earn an affordable, high-quality degree.

We are proud of the continued accreditation and Frank L. Murray Leadership Award recognition for our School of Education by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Twenty-one university teacher education programs nationwide were recipients of this award. The work of preparing future teachers this year has been critical for our state and region as teachers are in need across the Upper Midwest. In addition to offering scholarships for substitute teachers and paraprofessionals to earn their degree and become full-time teachers, faculty in the School for Education have prepared another large group of excited teacher candidates to head into school environments for student teaching experiences this spring.

Additionally, campus-wide recognitions and achievements were abundant this fall. We were once again recognized this fall by U.S. News and World Report as the top regional public college in North Dakota. We were honored as one of the Best Colleges in America by Money.com and given multiple awards for having high-quality, affordable degree programs.

Continuing our work last year to offer high-quality educational opportunities is one of the most important things we do here at VCSU. Last year our faculty led the way by completing training to enrich their courses and ensure they lead to student success. Our campus approved a new strategic plan and began implementing the plan immediately. Most importantly, we continued our work to help students develop into exceptional citizens, members of the workforce and proud VCSU alumni.

Here’s to another year of success and moving forward together. Go Vikings!

Biennial Faculty Staff Exhibition on display in Center for the Arts

The Biennial Faculty Staff Exhibition is now up in the Center for the Arts Gallery through Feb. 9. The exhibition showcases work made by faculty and staff across VCSU. Works include ceramics, drawings, quilts, photography, paper quilling, stained glass, jewelry and more. The reception will be on Jan. 31 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. A make up date is set for Feb. 7 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Valley City State University Hosts Marketplace for Kids

Classes of a different kind were in session at Valley City State University (VCSU) on Thursday, Jan. 4. Instead of the regular enrollees, the campus was full of almost 400 third to eighth-grade students from area schools including Washington Elementary, Barnes County North, Central Cass, Maple Valley, Milnor and Litchville-Marion.

Students were taking classes from local experts and learning about various jobs in different sectors. From surveying to astronomy, aviation, financial services, border patrol, electricity, and window production, the class sessions were numerous and varied. The event included a Hall of Great Ideas for students to showcase projects and ideas they developed.

“It is a great event and we are happy to have these young students on our campus,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Larry Brooks said. “Many of our faculty and staff helped teach classes and connect with students and it’s great to see their interest in a variety of areas.”

The event began with the Presentation of Colors by Boy Scout Troop #560 and Valley City Public School fifth-grade student Sullivan Peterson singing the national anthem. President Alan LaFave and Mayor Dave Carlsrud welcomed the young learners to the community. More than 100 individuals supported the event as volunteers, guides, presenters, chaperones and teachers throughout the day.

Seeds for the program were planted in 1996 when an adult event called Marketplace of Ideas began. It was designed to connect entrepreneurs in North Dakota. A version for young learners was created shortly thereafter. Bob Heitkamp was involved early on with the Marketplace of Ideas, and found himself teaching a course about entrepreneurship during a Marketplace for Kids event. Eventually, he became the second executive director for Marketplace for Kids.

Next year Heitkamp is anticipating having 13 events throughout North Dakota and into Montana with more than 6,000 youth expected to participate.

“What we’re trying to do with Marketplace for Kids is show students the options they have in their community,” Heitkamp said. Not only does the event teach students about a wide variety of topics, but it encourages future entrepreneurship. Heitkamp said he recently spoke with a young adult in Fargo that was working to become a business owner, and was a former participant as a kid.

“He said, ‘I will own my own business one day. This is just a step along the way,’” Heitkamp said. “That’s the coolest thing ever.”

For more information about participating or supporting Marketplace for Kids, visit https://marketplaceforkids.org/.

For more information about VCSU or to arrange an interview, visit vcsu.edu or email TammyJo.Taft@vcsu.edu.

VCSU Career and Internship Expo Planned for Feb. 27

Employers Encouraged to Register by Jan. 18

Valley City, ND – Valley City State University (VCSU) will host a Career and Internship Expo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the Memorial Student Union.

Employers interested in promoting career opportunities are encouraged to register for the event by Jan. 18 by emailing Janna Kohler at janna.kohler@vcsu.edu.

Students are encouraged to attend the event and discover employment and internship opportunities available with multiple local businesses and non-profit organizations.

“This event is one of the best ways we can connect our student population with the business community in Valley City and Barnes County,” said Janna Kohler, Director for Career Services. “We love to bring opportunities like this to campus for our students to see what great career offerings are in our region.”

In 2021 to 2022, 99% of non-education major graduates responding to a career survey said they were already employed or were continuing their education after graduation. Of education graduates, 100% responding reported they were employed or continuing their education. 70% of those graduates were employed in North Dakota.

“Our graduates are career-ready and our placement data supports that fact,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Larry Brooks said. “A diploma from VCSU helps our students enter the career of their choosing, often prior to graduation.”

The event focuses on opportunities for internships, seasonal, part-time and full-time work in the area. Students will be able to take a professional headshot and offer their resume to potential employers.

For more information about this event contact Janna Kohler at janna.kohler@vcsu.edu or call 701-845-7534.  To arrange an interview about VCSU, please contact Tammy Jo Anderson Taft by emailing TammyJo.Taft@vcsu.edu, or calling 701-845-7227.

Student Profile: Amber Kologi

Amber Kologi is a dual science major focusing in the areas of Biology and Fisheries & Wildlife. The sophomore, who calls Rochert, Minn. home, gets to spend time in her happy place as student worker in the VCSU Greenhouse.

What attracted you to VCSU?
I loved the hometown feel of our campus and everyone being so helpful and nice. It was comforting to know people cared about you when you were a scared freshman. I love how in only a couple weeks, you can know almost everyone on campus and be friends.

Why did you choose your specific major?
I had an amazing Biology teacher in high school that encouraged me to always keep learning. I also have always been interested with nature, since we lived deep in the woods I was always outside.

What are your career goals or where do you see yourself after graduation?
I would like to be either a Wildlife Biologist or a Botanist somewhere in North Dakota or Minnesota.

Which activities or groups are you involved in on campus?
I am the treasurer for the North Dakota Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society club.

Have you had any internship or student work opportunities at VCSU?
I work on campus as a student worker for the biology department, particularly working in the Greenhouse on 2nd Floor in Rhoades. I water and repot plants while also starting little projects, such as propagating succulents and donating plants to nursing homes across town. We currently have a live project going on, the Pothos wall, where I have varieties of vining Pothos, Philodendron and Hoyas growing up the brick wall on the side of the greenhouse.

What would you say your favorite plant is?
My favorite plant has to be the Lifesaver plant, it is part of the Apocynaceae (milkweed) family but doesn’t resemble it at all! I also love the flowers that look like the Lifesaver candy, where it got its name. It is just overall a very funky, but interesting plant.

Any advice for students thinking about attending VCSU?
Make sure to leave enough time in your day to do your homework before you have fun, otherwise you can fall behind really quick. Also, come visit and study in the greenhouse!

Check out VCSU Greenhouse on Instagram!

Viking Sports Update

Basketball begins conference play Friday
The Valley City State University basketball teams begin conference play this weekend, hosting Dakota State and Bellevue University to tip off a 12-game conference schedule. VCSU’s North Star Athletic Association conference opener is Friday night against Dakota State. VCSU’s women host the Trojan women at 5:30 p.m. The men’s game follows at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Vikings host Bellevue at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Upcoming Events
Jan. 12: WBB/MBB vs. Dakota State, 5:30/7:30 p.m. (Valley City)
Jan. 13: WBB/MBB vs. Bellevue University, 3/5 p.m. (Valley City)
Jan. 17: WBB/MBB vs. Mayville State, 5:30/7:30 p.m. (Valley City)

What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...

Find out what’s happening at VCSU: https://www.vcsu.edu/news-events/

Find out what’s happening in the community: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/